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National Choirs

National Youth Choir of Scotland

Ages: 16 - 25

An outstanding choir for young people, recognised with the Ensemble award from the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Comprising of the most promising young singers from across the country, membership for the National Youth Choir of Scotland is granted by audition to those born, resident or studying in Scotland, or of Scottish descent. Led by world-renowned conductor Christopher Bell, the basis of the choir’s activities stem from a week-long residential course in Edinburgh. During the residential course the repertoire for the year ahead is learnt and choir members receive vocal tuition and singing lessons.

Celebrated recent performances include appearances with the BBC SSO, SCO, RSNO and Public Service Broadcasting, and at events including Edinburgh International Festival, XX Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, BBC Passchendaele Centenary Commemorations, Festival Berlioz in France and Grand Teton Music Festival in the USA. Every three years, the National Youth Choir of Scotland embarks on an international tour. Previous destinations include Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Slovakia, Sweden and the USA.

Auditions

Members of the National Youth Choir of Scotland are amongst the most promising young singers in the UK and admission to the Choir is by audition. Preparation is key; it’s never too early to start practising. After hearing you, Christopher Bell will decide whether you are ready for membership of the National Youth Choir of Scotland or NYCOS Training Choir.

What to sing at the audition

You will be invited to come to an audition where you will be asked to sing a song you have prepared, sing at sight and sing some scales to establish your range. Whilst ability to sing at sight is desirable, you should not be deterred from applying if your sight-singing is currently weak. Your singing teacher or class teacher should advise you on your choice of song.

Audition Locations

Depending on numbers, auditions may be held in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Manchester and London. The opportunity to audition for NYCOS Training Choir may be available to island dwellers.

Residential Course

The activities for the year all stem from the week-long residential course where the repertoire is learned. The seven days are full of intense musical activity, vocal coaching, individual singing lessons and full choir rehearsals mixed with recreation time and informal concerts. Members receive individual singing lessons from top-flight professional singers and teaching to the highest standards.

Concerts & Engagements

The course finishes with a concert for NYCOS Training Choir at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh. Members of each choir will have the chance to take part in exciting additional engagements, full details of which will be advised prior to your audition. Members will be expected to take part in both the residential course and additional engagements.

Costs & Financial Assistance

Members pay 5 instalments of £110 for National Youth Choir of Scotland, or 5 instalments of £100 for NYCOS Training Choir. Costs are inclusive of membership, full-board accommodation, provision of music, additional engagements and all activities throughout the residential course.

Don’t be put off by the cost as there are bursaries available for both fees and travel. For more information, see the Funding Information page or contact us.

All parts of the residential course are important. At the beginning you are learning new music and settling into the course structure, and if you miss the beginning you will lose a lot, perhaps never catching up.

We prefer members to come to the course and stay for the duration, unless there is a pre-agreed extenuating circumstance. For example, in the past people have had a hospital appointment which if missed could not be re-organised for months. Each case is different so is considered individually.

The National Youth Choir of Scotland is directed by Christopher Bell. Ruth Townsend, Course Director, leads a team of qualified and experienced house staff. NYCOS has Child Protection Guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of choir members.

This is a national choir. In order to perform at the highest possible standard it needs to recruit the best singers available each year. To keep your place in the choir you need to work at maintaining and improving your vocal and musicianship skills.

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National Youth Choir of Scotland (known as NYCOS) is a registered Scottish charity, SC024899. NYCOS is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland with company number SC165149 having its registered office at Capella Building (Tenth Floor), 60 York Street, Glasgow G2 8JX.